Jinhao X450

[Lugworm]

I am very grateful to a work colleague for giving me a brand new Jinhao x450. He had received an extra one in error. They cost next to nothing which included shipping.

It looks really posh. Quite weighty. Cap requires quite a pull. Came with a converter.

The nib is a bit of a let down. Scratchy, too wet. Not really usable. Made a right mess on cheap paper.

Anyway, changing the nib is an option. Considered putting a Bock nib in it which is still a fall back plan. Instead I've given the nib my usual care and attention. Managed to reduce the ink flow and removed the scratchiness. (No I haven't yet bought fine nail files). The pen now is much improved. Not silky smooth but quite usable even on cheap paper. Happy days.

[LizB]

All my Jinhao x450s and x750s tend to be on the wet side. As you have done, they are pretty good tinkering pens and easy to make adjustments. I've put some Bock nibs in mine too. The pens are amazing value, and I use mine for work where they get pretty bashed around.

Edited March 10, 2017 by LizB

[Lugworm]

LizB

Is it just a case of buying a Bock number 6 and bunging it in?

What do they write like with the Bock?

[LizB]

Yes, it is really as simple as that. Keep the jinhao feed and just swap the nibs. I'm happy with my Jinhao/Bock pens, they write very nicely.

[lurcho]

I put JoWos in my Jinhaos, but I've never used Bock. They always need tweaking, in my experience, but all nibs do, whatever the price of the pen they come in.

 

It's easy, as LizB has already said, to change the nibs. I'd be happy to send you a JoWo #6 medium nib, since I have three spares. If you give me an idea how wet or dry you like them, I'll try to adjust it before sending it. No charge. (I buy them in batches every so often, and fiddle with them.)

 

I get them from FPnibs.com in Spain, who are brilliant. Bock nibs are available in the UK from beaufortink.co.uk.

 

LizB: How do you find the Bocks? I've been put off them by a number of pen-turners saying that JoWo quality is much better.

[Jamesbeat]

Stop!

 

You say you've used it on cheap paper - have you tried it on good paper?

 

I have used several different types of paper that were not fountain pen friendly, and they have made my smooth writing pens feel horribly scratchy, like nails on a chalkboard.

 

Even the pretty decent copy paper at work makes my pens feel a little rough.

 

It's perfectly possible that the pen is scratchy, but make sure you test it on some paper that you KNOW is good before you start messing with the nib, otherwise you may end up ruining a perfectly good nib.

[LizB]

 

 

LizB: How do you find the Bocks? I've been put off them by a number of pen-turners saying that JoWo quality is much better.

 

 

 

I'm very happy with them. I've had to tinker with one (out of about 5), but all the rest were great from the start. I have a few italics, which I like, and a fine which is very springy. The broad is the only one I've had any issues with, it had to be aligned. They are easy for me to get hold of in the UK, and work for me. I just wish they had their size (fineness) marked on them.

[Lugworm]

I'm only just catching up with today's posts. Mr Lurcho sir, thanks for the offer but this morning I ordered a EF Bock from beaufortink. Should arrive by the end of the week. I'll let you know what I think of it.

[lurcho]

No problem. I'd be very interested in your opinion, and I'm looking at trying one out myself.

[Lugworm]

One for Lurcho

OK the ef Bock nib. Its smooth. Noticed the ink feathering on really cheap paper, more so than the wider Jinhao nib did on the same page. I tried slightly reducing the flow which made it OK. Then tried it on some better quality but unbranded paper in my journal and it wrote really nicely.

To conclude, my tweaked Jinhao nib was quite acceptable but it was well worth buying the Bock. In its current like new condition I have to say I'm really impressed with this 12 quid pen. Looks the business.

 

Tomorrow I may commit blasphemy. I will try using the redundant Jinhao nib to replace the broken nib on the Sheaffers. If it fits.

[lurcho]

Thanks for the heads up. I really must try a Bock, and of course they're sold here in Britain.

 

Any chance of a writing sample?

[Ink Stained Wretch]

In its current like new condition I have to say I'm really impressed with this 12 quid pen.

 

Is that right, 12£? That's about $14.88 right now. That seems like quite a bit for a Jinhao X450.

[Lugworm]

 

Is that right, 12£? That's about $14.88 right now. That seems like quite a bit for a Jinhao X450.

Not quite. £2.41 for the Jinhao and about £10 for the Bock nib. Total is about £12.

[Lugworm]

Thanks for the heads up. I really must try a Bock, and of course they're sold here in Britain.

 

Any chance of a writing sample?

Not sure about the writing sample. That involves understanding technology to attach photos.

I'll try.

Where in Wales are you anyway? General area, not full address. PM me if you prefer.

[Arkanabar]

I fitted an X750 with a 0.8mm Nemosine stub for a little while, and that made it run a little dry in comparison to the stock nib.

[Ink Stained Wretch]

Not quite. £2.41 for the Jinhao and about £10 for the Bock nib. Total is about £12.

 

Oh, I see. You were counting in the nib price along with the X450 price.

[Lugworm]

Tomorrow I may commit blasphemy. I will try using the redundant Jinhao nib to replace the broken nib on the Sheaffers. If it fits.

 

It didn't fit. Worth a try.

[Trom]

After a little adjustment and micromesh my X450 and 159 Jinhao nibs are very smooth.